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From Library Staff

Why is Simon Speir forced to act as wingman to nerdy Martin Addison as Martin romances Abby? Martin is blackmailing Simon after seeing Simon's secret emails to another boy at school, known only as Blue. As this amusing and poignant story unfolds, Simon's "coming out" becomes less of an ... Read More »

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4 Stars - I recommend if you enjoy contemporary YA, and are looking for diversity within the genre.

This book follows Simon, he's sixteen, and he's gay. But he's not "out" yet. He spends a lot of time emailing his mysterious friend "Blue" another gay guy at his high school, they have formed a very tight bond. The catch is, they don't know each other's real identities. When a conniving classmate see's Simon and Blue's emails, and learns his secret, he blackmails him. Simon must navigate his teenage feelings, his complicated friendships, the upcoming musical at his high school, online email "dating" Blue, and blackmail all at once.

I thought that this was a really sweet yet important YA book. I love seeing that this novel is so popular as it gives a bit of representation within the genre. Though it is not an "own voices" novel, I did think that the book was really well written. Unlike some of my other recent reads that included letters, emails, etc. I loved that this story was told partly in narrative, and partly via emails between Simon and Blue. Anyhow, I liked Simon quite a bit, I loved his emails with Blue, and I thought it was really sweet and fun. I was dying to find out who Blue was, and I guessed it closer to the end of the book. I didn't completely feel like I understood Simon's character, but it was close. He's in a rough situation, so I can see why he kind of overlooks things going on with his friends and family... also, I mean, he's a teen. :P I'm excited that this has been made into a movie (Love, Simon), and I can't wait to watch it soon! :)

Honestly, I thought this book was incredibly overrated. Simon is a jerk to Leah, Abby is annoying and trite, Martin's reasons for doing what he does are kind of bland... and the narration annoyed me. How is it that a drama club kid has such a limited vocabulary?

An introspective first person narrative about coming out and the intricacies of relationships, romantic and otherwise...I'm reading the second book right now (Leah on the Offbeat) and it so far is just as enjoyable.

Ehhh. I liked this one okaaay. I mean... it's a solid story with interesting, well-developed characters. But it reads like so much realistic YA fiction with all its sarcasm and wittiness that it doesn't feel new to me at all. With that being said, I'm an adult and I know teens love it, so honestly, take this review with a grain of salt.

Very quick light read. I fully understand why it won all the awards. The characters feel real and diversity (racial, religious and sexual orientation) is frequently mentioned in a throwaway fashion because it just isn't a big deal - with the obvious exception of the threat to "out" Simon. (Even in that case, he's more concerned about the impact on others than on himself.) They're also fully believable as high school students.

The back-and-forth between chapters of emails and chapters of narration keep things moving quickly. I read it in one day.

This story was absolutely fantastic. From the lovable characters and their dialog to the incredibly worded plot twist, this story is one to read for any person regardless of sexuality. Becky Albertalli is outstanding and her work needs to be well recognized.

I need more of this kind of story in my life. I really liked most of it, and loved the rest. Most of the characters aren't really fleshed out a lot, which made the big reveal not quite as exciting as it could have been, but the story, and especially the love story, were really sweet. I really wish I could have had this kind of a romance in high school, and I think a lot of readers, male or female, gay or straight, will enjoy that aspect of the story - the shy awkwardness, the stolen kisses, the inability to even remotely believe this is happening to you!!! Ahem.

I really think this would be a fun book for any teen or adult to read. There is some discussion of sex - not sexuality, as in gay or straight, but sex, as in sex - which may make this a little too mature for younger readers; parents may want to read it first. (Which, I mean, you should read it anyhow, because it really is a good book!)

So many kinds of terrific I hardly know where to start. I will say I wish this book (and sympathetic and observant family therapists like author Becky Albertalli) had been around when I was Simon's age. To say it would have helped me and certain others of my peers struggling with The Secret is a ginormous understatement.

I liked Simon right away. And liked that Blue, the e-object of his growing affection, turned out to be someone he absolutely did not expect; it felt quite right that sweet, perceptive Blue was more or less right there in front of Simon all along.

Also I loved Simon's family and friends, especially outgoing newcomer Abby and moody, mercurial Leah, Simon's best friend. Leah was particularly intriguing, and as the story progressed I worried about her, too.

Finally, I thought Albertalli's deft handling of Martin hit just the right notes--what he did was cruel and stupid with potentially very serious consequences. Yet he isn't evil, and Albetalli helps us understand him without letting him off the hook.

I look forward to the movie yet I love the book so much I'm almost afraid to see it. Book to film translations don't always work even when everyone has the best of intentions; I'm crossing my fingers "Love, Simon" has made it to the screen with all the wit, warmth and sensitivity of its source material.